Browse Items (76 total)

Photograph of the Coterie taken inside the O'Grady store 3rd floor room. Standing: Mrs. Rose Miller, Mrs. Jessie Longwell, Miss Katie Harris, Mrs. Ida Hudson, Mrs. La Suer, Mrs. Wesley Young, Mrs. Clara Rennie, Mrs. Belle Gremps Johnson, Miss Ella…

The clubhouse was dedicated in December 1913 to serve as an inspiration for members, “to live in the upper realm of thought, feeling and faculty”. During the 19th century, women in America became prolific builders of vital community institutions.…

The architecture of the Pump House is unique with its exaggerated roofline and solitary chimney. Water was first pumped from local “artesian wells” or natural springs. In 1908 the pump was converted from steam to hydro-electric power. The wells were…

On Saturday, September 2, 1901 a vast crowd assembled to witness the laying of the cornerstone for the new county courthouse. The courthouse was to be a fine example of American Neoclassic architecture, an embodiment of the new country’s democratic…

Between 1883 and 1929, 1,689 libraries were built in the United States using funds donated by businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. In January of 1917 the widow of Rev. E.H. Harvey offered to donate his extensive private library if a…

In 1864 Milan U. Richardson (1846-1896) established the Van Buren County Abstract. In those early days, all real estate transfer documents were drafted and cataloged by hand. Working with the Van Buren County Register of Deeds’ office, the Abstract…

The First National Bank opened its doors in 1865 at another location and for two years was the only bank in the entire county. The bank moved to this location in early 1904. The U.S. Post Office was on the left hand side until 1939. In December 1933…

The Society of the First Presbyterian Church of Paw Paw was organized in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Smith in September of 1843. In 1845, the first house of worship was built. When that first building burned down in 1856, the congregation moved…

After a great fire ravaged this section of the village in January 1888, George W. Longwell (1832-1919) purchased two lots and constructed the present brick Italianate-style building. With his brother, James M. Longwell (1827-1907), he built the…

This building was the first home of the Paw Paw Volunteer Fire Department organized in 1868. The members serve without pay or compensation. In 1968 at the 100 year celebration of the Volunteer Fire Department, it was noted that “over the past 100…